Belfast City of Sanctuary

20/06/2026

18/06/2026

Dear Friend,

🌍✨ YOU’RE INVITED! ✨🌍
Join us for the Great Belfast Picnic 2026 – “Courage” 🕊️💛

Come together with families, friends, neighbours, and communities from all backgrounds as we celebrate OUR strength, resilience, and courage.

🎶 Enjoy:
🥗 Delicious multicultural food
🎨 Fun activities for children & families
🎵 Music, dance & live entertainment
🤝 Community connection & friendship
⚽ Games, storytelling & cultural sharing

This year’s Refugee Week theme, “Courage,” celebrates the bravery it takes to rebuild lives, stand together, and create welcoming communities where everyone belongs.
📅 Date: Saturday, 20th June 2026
⏰ Time: 1pm – 5pm
📍 Venue: Ulidia Playing Fields, Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 3GR
Bus Service: Bus 7A, 7B, 6C

Bring your picnic blankets, your smiles, and your spirit of unity as we celebrate diversity, hope, and togetherness!

Everyone is welcome 💙

UnityInDiversity GreatRefugeeWeekPicnic
💖 ALL WELCOME

🎟️ Register to attend here: https://events.humanitix.com/the-great-refugee-week-picnic-2026-courage

For more information, please contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 07555 009784

We look forward to celebrating with you!

16/06/2026

🎉 COMMUNITY CELEBRATION EVENT 🎉

Join us on Friday 19th June for a FREE family event designed to bring our community together when it needs it most.

📢 Tell a friend, ask them to tell another friend, and help us spread the word!

📍 Annadale Community Centre
🕝 2:30pm - 5:00pm

Everyone is welcome! Whether you'd like to stop by for some food and refreshments, enjoy the activities, or simply spend time with friends and neighbours, we'd love to see you there.

🌍 Celebrate the diversity of our community in a welcoming environment where all cultures are valued and celebrated.

Activities include:
🥁 African Drummers - 3:00pm to 3:30pm
🎨 Face Painting - 2:30pm to 4:30pm
🏰 Bouncy Castle - available throughout the event
✂️ Arts & Crafts
🍔 Food & Refreshments

Come along and help create a fun, vibrant party atmosphere for people of all ages. Bring your family, bring your friends, and be part of a day that celebrates community, connection and culture.

We look forward to seeing you there!

09/06/2026

🚨 STATEMENT FROM BELFAST CITY OF SANCTUARY 🚨

Belfast City of Sanctuary is deeply saddened and concerned by the serious incident that took place on Kinnaird Avenue, Belfast, yesterday.

We unequivocally condemn all forms of violence and criminal behaviour. Our thoughts are with the victim, their family, friends, and all those affected by this distressing incident.

Let us be absolutely clear: there is no justification for violence. Anyone responsible for criminal acts should be held fully accountable through the proper legal process. Such actions do not reflect the values of the communities we work with, support, and represent.

At the same time, we urge everyone to avoid directing anger, blame, or hostility towards entire communities because of the actions of one individual. No person speaks for a race, nationality, religion, ethnicity, or community. Collective blame only creates further division, fear, and harm.

Belfast City of Sanctuary does not support, excuse, or defend violence from any side. We reject hatred, racism, intimidation, vigilantism, and attempts to exploit tragic events to spread division within our society.

For many years, people from different backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and communities have worked together to make Belfast and Northern Ireland a safer, stronger, and more welcoming place for everyone. We remain committed to that vision.

We also encourage everyone to exercise caution when sharing information online. Misinformation, rumours, and inflammatory content can quickly increase fear and tensions within communities. We urge people to rely on information from the relevant authorities and credible sources.

Now is the time for calm, responsibility, and unity. We encourage all members of our communities to look after one another, challenge misinformation, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and allow the relevant authorities to carry out their work.

Together, we will continue building communities based on respect, dignity, understanding, and shared humanity.

01/06/2026

☕️ Let’s do Coffee Morning! 🍰

Every coffee poured, every slice of cake shared, and every single conversation helps make a real difference to those living with cancer. 💚

We are absolutely delighted to partner with Macmillan Cancer Support to host a special community Coffee Morning. Whether you are popping in for a quick cuppa on your morning commute or staying for a chat, your presence supports an incredible cause.

📅 Date: Friday, 5th June 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: BCDA, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GG

Can’t make it in person but still want to support? Scan the QR code on our flyer to donate directly to Macmillan Cancer Support. Every donation counts towards supporting those living with cancer. 💛

Tag a friend in Belfast who needs a coffee break this Friday! 👇

BelfastCommunity OrmeauRoad SupportLocal BelfastCoffee Fundraiser TogetherAgainstCancer

27/05/2026

YOU’RE INVITED! ✨🌍

Join us for the Great Refugee Week Picnic 2026 – “Courage”

Come together with families, friends, neighbours, and communities from all backgrounds as we celebrate OUR strength, resilience, and courage.

🎶 Enjoy:
🥗 Delicious multicultural food
🎨 Fun activities for children & families
🎵 Music, dance & live entertainment
🤝 Community connection & friendship
⚽ Games, storytelling & cultural sharing

This year’s Refugee Week theme, “Courage,” celebrates the bravery it takes to rebuild lives, stand together, and create welcoming communities where everyone belongs.

📅 Date: Saturday, 20th June 2026

⏰ Time: 1pm – 5pm
📍 Venue: Ulidia Playing Fields, Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 3GR

*Bus Service: Bus 7A, 7B, 6C*

Bring your picnic blankets, your smiles, and your spirit of unity as we celebrate diversity, hope, and togetherness!

Everyone is welcome Registration link in the comment section

* UnityInDiversity GreatRefugeeWeekPicnic*

30/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our VR Storytelling experience with Cathy! 🎧✨
It was inspiring to see so many people step into new perspectives through virtual reality.
We loved sharing this immersive journey with you all 💚

26/03/2026

📢 EXPERIENCE VR STORYTELLING with Cathy

Belfast City of Sanctuary invites you to join us for an immersive journey into storytelling through virtual reality!

📅 Date: Friday, 27th March 2026
⏰ Time: 10am – 1pm
📍 Location: BCDA, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 3GG

🥤 Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact us at:
📧 [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there! 🙌

17/03/2026

Happy Paddy’s Day to everyone celebrating!💚

Hope your day is filled with great company, plenty of smiles, and a little extra luck along the way.

Wishing you all a joyful and festive day!🍀

15/03/2026

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day - and we celebrate you. 🤍

To every mum, grandmother, stepmum, auntie, godmother, mentor, and caregiver. Thank you for the love, strength, and care you give so freely.

We also hold space for those who find today difficult - those missing their mums, longing to be mothers, or carrying grief. You are seen.

Mothering is more than biology - it’s love in action. Today we honour the many ways love nurtures, supports, and shapes the lives of others. 🌷